7

Eliana

“Was it you, Ace?” I said, trying to contain my excitement.

I wasn't wrong, after all. I was right about the person that saved me last night — the skills, the grace, the calculated hits and blows. It was all too good to be true. I knew it wouldn't be just any member of the pack.

Ace didn't look at me as he responded, his voice low and convincing. “No, Eliana, I didn't save you.”

He's lying, Eliana, I told myself. And the lie he cooked up too. There was no one who saw me run in yesterday. If my neighbour had in fact seen me last night, she would have been here this morning. Ace was lying. It was hard to even say he was lying; his expression was neutral, but I detected a flicker of hesitation as he answered me.

I wasn't convinced. Something in the way he acted gave him away. I pressed on, my voice firm but as gentle as I could make it be. “Don’t lie to me now, Ace. I feel it's you. You rescued me from those men.”

Now, he didn't look at me. His jaw was clenched like it would snap shut anytime. Then, after a while that seemed like eternity, he sighed and nodded. “All right, fine. It was me, okay? I saved you.” I was about to say something, but he continued, “And I wasn't stalking you or following you. I just happened to be around at that time, and I knew I had to do something.”

I just looked at him, not knowing what to say at first. But then, I was grateful. I was happy about this. No one has ever risked anything for me, not even my damned ex-boyfriend, wherever the hell he was now. I felt special.

"Why didn't you want to admit it?" I asked, trying to process everything.

Ace began to run the back of his neck, sort of playing with his hair. He looked really handsome that way. “I am not some sort of hero, Eliana. If you knew I was the one, you'd give me that heroic look, and honestly, I don't want that. I don't want to gain your trust by making you see me as the good guy. I did what anyone in his right senses would do.”

I took a step closer to him, my heart filled with gratitude. "Still, I will give you that look. I mean, you saved me. Eliana and I should appreciate that. Thank you, Ace. Thank you for saving me."

"You don't have to thank me, Eliana. I just did what needed to be done." He said it as a matter of fact.

I smiled and looked at his face. He had a small cut there. I knew it was healing by itself slowly, and by the end of today, it would be gone completely without a trace.

I reached out, wanting to touch him, and he moved backwards. “Let me.” I said with a gentle voice. “Let me treat your wounds.”

“No, it's fine; it will be gone. I don't know why it's taking long to heal, though.”

“I insist, please.”

His eyes flashed with resistance, but then he nodded, and I led him to the small first-aid kit I had in my bag.

As I cleaned and bandaged his wounds, Ace watched me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. He was always able to make my heartbeat stop and continue to beat. I don't know what to make out of it, but as much as I liked the feeling, I knew I should discard it immediately.

"Thank you, Eliana," he said, his voice low and captivating.

I smiled sheepishly, my eyes meeting his own. "You're welcome. You saved my life. I'll never forget that."

As I cleaned the cut on his face, he suddenly winced in pain. "Oww!"

"I stopped, thinking I had escalated the pain. "What? Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry."

But then, a sly grin spread across his face like a new sun and I knew he was just joking. "Just kidding!" He said, chuckling. "I was just joking."

I playfully rolled my eyes, relief washing over me. "You scared me!”

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice low and intimidating. "I just wanted to see your reaction."

Without thinking, he leaned in, his lips brushing mine. As the touch continued, it was like the entire world around us melted away like soap. He and I only existed in the world we built around ourselves.

The kiss deepened, our mouths opening to each other like it was meant to be. His hands were on my wrist, pulling me closer for a deeper embrace. His fingers dug into my skin with a gentle possessiveness that assured me for no reason.

But then, reality hit me like a punch in the face. I remembered where I was coming from, where I was going and where I was. I made a promise to myself — to stay away from relationships. And here I was kissing a man.

It was then that I pulled back, gasping for air I couldn't get seconds ago. "I'm sorry. I can't do this. I made a promise to myself to stay away from relationships. After what happened in the past. I just can't. I'm so sorry."

And if Ace too did not understand, he can as well just leave me alone. I didn't want to be heartbroken again.

“I guess I understand,” he started, “but I want to assure you that I'm not going anywhere. I am here for you, whenever you want and whenever you need me. I promise to walk through the journey with you, Eliana.”

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at him. No one has ever tried to take my pain or walk me through my pain before and now, it seems like a big deal. "Thank you.” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Go out on a date with me.” He said.

I looked at him for a while before nodding my head slowly. “Okay.” And I hope I don't regret it.

***

I didn't regret it!

At first I felt I was betraying my past, that I was going against my promise to stay single for my sake and my baby, but Ace had a way of making me forget all about that.

He left my place to prepare, and I ran through the heap of clothes I had gotten over the weeks. I found a loose gown. Not that my baby bump was visible but I didn't want to take any chances. I paired the gown with a flat sandal, and I did my makeup.

It was too casual, yes, I know, but I didn't care. I wanted to give him every reason to let me be.

But then I was wrong, because he loved it! When we arrived at a fancy restaurant, I felt a little out of place, but this man took my hand, his touch so soft and assuring.

The evening was magical, splendid, and pure. We talked, laughed, and shared stories of our lives. For the first time since I got to the Darkmoon pack, I didn't think about the triplets or the pain they caused me; I didn't even think about Alex. My mind was at peace, and Ace was the only one I could care about now.

As we sipped our wine, I caught myself laughing. Like I was really laughing. I haven't done that for like a year now — not with Alex. And the feeling was surreal; it was so pure.

Ace smiled at me after telling me a joke. “You're so beautiful, Eliana, especially when you smile.”

This man would be the end of me.

As the night drew closer, Ace told me it was time to go home. We walked home and spent the journey laughing and discussing everything and nothing in particular. He was a great listener, and he knew just how to put his words out right.

When we got to my front door, he stopped and took my hands in his. “Thank you, Eliana; I had a wonderful time tonight. It is the best.” He said, his voice carrying a sincere note.

This feeling was great! I love it. “Thank you. I enjoyed the evening too.”

And at that point, he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. Just a small brush, and damn me for wanting more, and more than just a kiss from him. Crazy, right?

"Goodnight, Eliana. Have a great night.” He whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

“Goodnight," I replied, my voice barely audible.

“I'll see you tomorrow. Go inside and sleep.”

I smiled, wanting him to turn back, kiss me hard and drag me to bed. "Okay," I replied, my voice a little stronger now.

Damn! I was falling, wasn't I? This was also bad, wasn't it?

Ace grinned, knowing fully well he had his grip on me, and then he was gone. I felt alive, I felt renewed.